Father and son duo jailed for jewellery store ram-raid

Elliot Burton, 49, and Connor Burton, 27, were found guilty by a jury at Northampton Crown Court over the raid on Michael Jones Jeweller, in Gold Street, Northampton, on December 14, 2018.

Elliot Burton, of Drayton Court, Kings Heath, was convicted of conspiring to commit robbery at Michael Jones Jeweller and conspiring to rob a jewellers in Wood Street, in Swindon. He was sentenced to a total of 20 years.

Connor Burton, of Manilla Road, in Birmingham, was convicted of conspiring to commit robbery at Michael Jones Jeweller and conspiring to rob a jewellers in Wood Street, Swindon. He was sentenced to a total of 14 years.

The raid, which took place in broad daylight and was captured entirely on CCTV, as stunned shoppers watched as a white BMW 1 series car was used to ram the front of the shop, injuring one staff member and one customer.

Five masked men armed with axes, hammers and machetes then went into the store and smashed up display cabinets, stealing high-value Rolex watches and diamond jewellery – before fleeing down the pavement in a car later found burnt out.

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler, in sentencing the father and son duo, said: "The planning of this offence was detailed. The staff and customers inside the shop were frightened, terrified – you injured them physically and psychologically and you have fought the matter at every stage, showing no remorse for your actions.”

Addressing Elliot Burton, he added: "You have an appalling record of offending and I am satisfied that you took a leading role in these offences.”

Detective Sergeant Alex Lowe, from Northamptonshire Police, said: "I welcome the lengthy sentences handed out to Elliot Burton and his son Connor. This incident was exceptionally distressing for the staff members and customers inside the shop that day – many of whom still suffer from anxiety because of the incident.

"I hope the conclusion of this matter will provide them with a sense of justice and allow them to move forward."